“However, like most vehicle crime there are things motorists can do to reduce their risk of becoming a victim. The aim of most of our advice is to get drivers and vehicle owners to obstruct access to the underneath of their vehicles, making it harder for thieves.”

Kingston Park: Man assaulted in his own home

A man has been attacked in his home in Kingston Park, Newcastle.

A man forced his way into a flat in Lydford Court and assaulted the occupant between 7:30pm and 7:55pm on Wednesday.

The victim managed to get out of the flat by the bathroom window and ran to a friend’s house where the alarm was raised. He suffered bruising and was left shaken by the attack.

The offender was wearing a balaclava during the attack but is described as being around 5ft 8ins tall and may have had fair hair and stubble.

Morpeth: Care home roofing taken

Police are appealing for information after lead flashing was stolen from the roof of a care home.

Between 8am on March 28, and 11am on April 3, thieves got onto the roof of Renwick House residential home in Woodhill Drive and stole around 15m (50ft) of lead flashing.

Anyone who witnessed the theft or anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 ext 69191.

Cramlington: Car stolen from drive

A car was stolen during an opportunist raid at a house in the town.

Four sets of keys were taken when the thieves got into the porch of the property in Hexham Avenue on Monday night.

They used the keys to steal a silver Vauxhall Astra from the driveway.

It was later recovered on the A1 near the A69 junction.

A man, aged 36, and a 39-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of burglary and released on bail.